Dirigible balloon



Jan. 13. 1925.

J. TWARDUS DIRIGIBLE. BALLOON 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 10 INVENTOR.

Jan, 13.. 1925 1,522,761

J. TWARDUS DIRIGIBLE BALLOON Filed June 10, 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 2' INVEN TOR.

Patented Jan. 13, 1925.

UNITED STATES 1,522,761 PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN TWABDUS, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

DIBIGIBLE BALLOON:

Application fled June 10 1920. Serial Rb. 387,944.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that *I, J OHN TwARnUs, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Hartford in the county of Hartford and State of onnecticut, have invented new and Improved D-irigible Balloons, of which the following is a spe ification. g

My-invention relates to flying structures of various types, one feature of .the invention embodying an apparatus comprising an inflatable bag with propelling and steering mechanism therefor, and an object of my invention, among others, is to provide a bag by the use of which the expense attending its inflation may be minimized; a further object of the inventionis to provide a bag having means to regulate pressure therein; and a further object of the invention is to provide a bagwith means for maintaining the element of safety at a high degree.

One form of device embodying my invention and in the construction and use of which the objects herein set out, as well as others, may be attained, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a flying structure embodying my invention. Figure 2 is a bottomview of the same. Figure 3 is a view in cross section through the structure, illustrating the operation of the contraction means, thesection of the bag being illustrated by a heavy black line. Figure 4 is a view in horizontal section through the rear part of the bag illustrating the arrangement of the means for contracting it, the cross sectional dimension of said bag being illustrated by a heavy black line.

Figure 5 is a-detail face view scale enlarged, illustrating the manner of attaching 1 the distributors to the contraction web. Figure 5* is a sectional view showing the attachment of the contraction web to the' Figuree is a detail view, scale enlarged, illustrating the connection between the 'distributors and the contractors.

1 Figure 7 is adetail view, scale still further enlarged, in longitudinal section through .a contractor tube, the section of which is denoted by a heavy black line. This figure also shows a side view of a portion of one of the upper cross pieces of the hull and a cross section of the same and witha contractor sheave secured to its under side.

Figure 8 is a view in cross section, scale still further enlarged, through a contractor tube on a plane passing through one of the joints.

Figure 9 is a detail view on the same scale as Figure 8 in longitudinal section through aportion of a contractor tube and illustrating thea'ttachment of the membrane thereto and to the gas bag. Figure-1O is a rear view on enlarged scale of one of the pontoons. Figure 11 is a detail trating the function of one o the entrance doors.

Figure 12 is a: detail view in section illustrating the construction of the ontoon at the point of entrance thereto, thls view being enlarged over Figures 10' and 11.

Figure 13 is a detail view, scale still ,further enlarged, illustrating the packing at the door opening.

Fi illustrating the connection of the membrane with the elevating planes. I

Figure 15 is a detail view, scale still further enlarged, in sectionthrough the spring cases of said connection.

Figure 16 is a detail view, scale enlarged, illustrating the construction of the ire-mes comprised in the hull and the attachment of the struts thereto.

Figure 17 is a detail view, scale enlarged, illustrating the construction of the wheels. I have filed concurrently herewith an a plication forpatent on flying structure, t e

general arrangement of which is like' that illustrated and described herein and I, therefore, confine the description herein mainly to features'not shown and described in the copending application and do not go into detail as to the general construction.

While the invention of this application view in lengthwisesection through a part of the ontoon 'illusgure '14 isa detail view, scale enlarged,

is illustrated in connection with a flying structure embodying an inflatable bagthat is, however, intended to onl partially float the structure, yet man of t e features will be ,found equally applicable to flying structures of other and various types.

In the inflation of balloons the extreme danger from theuse of hydrogen gas, owing to its highly inflammable ualities, is well known and as is further we 1' known ,dan er from fire ma be reduced ton minimum y the use of elium. The scarcity of i medium islso great as to make its use prohibitive in many cases. I have provided m tion are the structure herein illustrated and described means whereby helium may be employed in the gas bag in a manner to greatly reduce the danger from explosion,

'abovereferred to, my improved bag being so constructed that the helium may be employed in small quantities and so disposed as to provide a shield for the hydrogen gas which is used in larger quanties and thus materially reduce the chances of the latter takin fire.

sue a structure is shown in the accompanying drawings in which the numeral 20 indicates my improved gas bag that is constructed of any suitable and desired material and that is preferably round in shape in cross section as to all'except the extreme lower portion. The sides of this lower por- !preferably formed on curves intersecting t e upper portion at an angle, and the bottom of this lower portion is formed on a curve of larger diameter as compared with the rest of the bag so that the bottom is quite flat and as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. The angle formed at the meeting points between the upper and lower portions of the ba extends completely around it in a lengt wise direction and a membrane 21 is secured to the inside of the bag underlying of such angle and extends completely across the bag from end to end,

thus dividing the bag into two chambers, a

hydrogen chamber 22 at the top and a helium chamber 23 at the bottom thereof, the latter chamber, as will be seen from Figure 3 of the drawings having the form of a trapezium, and smaller in cross sectional area as compared with the hydrogen chamben' Any well known means for introducing gas to these chambers may be employed.

The bag as a whole is pointed at its front end and is curved downwardly on top at its rear end, the bottom being substantially straight lengthwise of the bag from the rear toa point near the front end from which point it curves upwardly, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

11 order to regulate the pressure of the hydrogen gas in the chamber 22 I provide means for reducing the size, of such chamber at its upper part,-such means comprising narrow contraction webs 24 secured to and projecting from the inside of the bag on correspo-ndin ly opposite sides thereof and preferably a ove a diametrical plane extending iorizontally across the bag, the terms, horizontally, vertically &c., being employed herein with the. understanding that the bag is in the position normally assumed when inflated, and as shown in Figure 1 and 3 of the drawings. The edges of these contraction webs are preferably engrailed in the shape of small parabola curves disposed on the catenar principle. Secondary distributors 25, in tlie form of cords, extend through pockets formed in the edges of the webs 24, these distributors passing out of said pockets at each of the points 26 where they are joined into single strands comprising secondary connectors 27 extending to and joined with main distributors 28 formed in the shape of larger parab-' ola and catenary curves extending lengthconnectors 32 are secured in loops comprising a knot formed by joining two adjacent main distributors 28 with a secondary connector 27 (see Figure 6).

connectors 32, these contractors and the main distributors being shown by dotted lines in Figures 1 and 2. Each of the contractors passes downwardly through a flexible contractor tube 35 closed at its upper end and secured thereto and to said contractor to prevent access of gas into the tube. Each of said tubes passes through the membrane 21 land is attached at its lower end to the bottom of the bag, being connected to-said parts in a manner to prevent access within the tube of gas fromwithin the bag.

Each tube 1s preferably made from vulcanized rubber fabric comprising a plurality of lengthwise extending strips 36, three such strips being shown herein (see Figure 8). These several strips are joined at-their edges and they, and consequently the tube as a whole, are disposed in a plurality of concaved forms extending lengthwise of the tube (see Figure 7 of the drawings). Stiffenin'g rings 37, of any suitable material, are secured to each tube at the angles formed by the intersection of said concave surfaces, and consequently at the largest diameter 'of the tube 35, these rings being secured to the tube and inclosed by suitable straps cemented or otherwise secured to the outer surfaces of the tubes.

' A mid-contractor 34 is illustrated in Figures 7 and 9 and the general arrangement of all of these contractors will be readily understood from this showing, it being stated that said contractors are passed through the bottom of'the bag 20 and around a contractor sheave 39 rotatably mounted in brackets secured to the under side of upper cross pieces 38 of the hull to hereinafter be described. After passing the sheave the mid-contractor 34 and a-stern-contractor 33 pass forwardly along the hull each to a separate drum or cylinder to which they are secured and by means of which they may be drawn to pull opposite sides of the gas Contractors are connected at the center of each of the main bag at the top inwardly into a position, as indicated in dotted outline in Figure 3.

. The mid-contractor 34 is wound ona drum pending a plication hereinbefore referred to. It wil also be understood that the contractors at the forward part of the structure are arranged in the same manner ex- I cept that they pass rearwardly to'a point near the lengthwise center of the hull, whereas those atthe stern part of the structure and above described pass forwardly to a point near the lengthwise center of the hull. All four drums rotating on two axes are mounted in one frame located on the upper cross pieces in the center of the passengerTcar. I

From this construction it will be seen that when the contractors are pulled downwardly each tube will fold between the rings 37, thus decreasing inv length to accommodate itself to suclrmovement of the contractor, and the free passage of the contractor through the membrane 21 permitted by such rings avoids any transmission of force from said contractor to'said membrane, and the latter is free'torbe acted upon by the pressures within thechambers 22 Iand 23. As

the contractors are pulled downwardly and the sides of the bag are thereby pulled inwardly the size of the chamber 22 is decreased, thereby increasing the pressure of the 'gas therein, and this pressure will be transmitted to, the membrane 1 21 and as the chamber 23is very shallow as compared withits horizontal dimensions the pressure in the chamber22 will be readily communicated through the membrane to the chamber 23.

The hull is the same as embodied in my copending application hereinbefore referred to filed June 10, 1920, S. No. 387,943 upon which issued patent to me dated May 6, 1924, No. 1,493,298, and comprises, generally speaking, longerons 40 of a length substantially, equal to that of the bag, bottom cross pieces 41, thetop cross pieces hereinbefore referred to and uprights 42, all of said parts beingcros's and otherwise braced in any suitable manner, and the portion comprising the passenger car also having a bracing structure 43 including uprights and diagonals arranged asmay be desired. Struts 44 are pivotally secured at the top of the hull and extend outwardly therefrom, and they are preferably connected to the top longerons at the junction of the upper cross pieces thereto. The outer ends of these struts are secured to the bag substantially at the angular portion thereof com rising the outer edges of the bottom and y means of loops 45 formed in yielding tension supports 46 securely fastened in slots within the outer ends of the struts 44, said loops passing through and over bends in primary supports 47 arranged in small parabola curves, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. Wire braces 48, secured to the loops 45, extend diagonally downward to the bottom longerons to which they are ri idly secured preferably at the angles 0 intersection therewith of'the bottom cross pieces (see Figure 16). 1

Two sets of rigid elevating planes are secured to the hull, projecting laterally therefrom, one set being located substantially at the forward end of the midsection of the structure and the other at the. rear end' thereof, each of these sets of planes including a lower plane 49 and an intermediate plane 50 secured respectively to the bottom and top longerons of the hull, and a top plane 51 located above the intermediate plane, said planes being connected and supported by interplane struts and the whole'being wire cross braced in any suitable manner. The nacelle struts for motors 53 are located between the interplane struts52 and at opposite sides of the structure, said motors being supported between the lower and intermediate planes with theirrpropellers 54 in advance of the front edges of said planes. Movable elevating planes 55 are pivota-lly attached in pairs to the spa-rs at the rear edges of the bottom and intermediate planes, each member of eachpair being located one above the other directly back of the propellers.

Rudders 56 are mounted in pairs, one pair forward of the forward set of elevating planes and the other pair back of the rearward .set of elevating 'planes, said rudders being operated in any suitable manner, as for instance in the manner set out in my copendin application hereinbefore -men' tioned, t e 'structure comprising the hull, its su ports and braces and the rigid elevating p anes, to ether with the driving mechanism herein escribed also being more spe-v cifically set' out in said copending applica* tion.

I provide means to hold the gas bag rigid at its lower art b connectin it to the ri id P y g g planes herelnbefore describe in the structure herein shown the membrane 21 extending through the seam 57, connecting the uper; and lower parts of said bag, said seam being so formed as to tightly and rigidly secure the membrane 21 to the side parts of the bag. (See Figure 9'.) The extended art of the membrane forms flat stays 58 w ich may be reinforced at their edges as by means of cords sewed into a loop in a manner that will be readily understood, These sta s are curved as to their edges, as shown in i re 2 of the drawings, and they are secur to the upper planes 51 each by a yielding means comprising a spring 59 located in a case 60 secured to the spars of the frame, as clearly shown in Figures 14 and 15 of the drawings. A rod 61 secured to one end of the spring passes therethrough and has a ring in its outer end to which the points 62 of the stays are secured in any suitable manner. This resilient connection of the membrane to the stays allows the former to yield to pressure inside the bag and to assume a concaved or convex form as may be required by reason of the expanding 01' contracting gas in'the lower compartment.

Two sections of the hull that actually and directly support two sets of rigid wings at opposite ends ofa long passenger car are extended downwardly in the form of two small cabins 63. Both of these extensions are'constructed as integral, inseparable parts of the hull by means of long vertical members and diagonal braces that are mutual parts of both the ,hull and the extension structures, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 10 of the drawing. This structure possesses decided advantages for aeronautical structures, as the former embodies suspended or detachable cabins for dirigibles that are of extreme strength and stiffness and also of minimum weight, which advantages are not present in structures heretofore made. Both of said extensions are of substantially the same shape and dimensions and serve the purpose of pilot houses, to provide for unobstructed view in all directions, as well as a base for strengthening motor bearings, and wings by diagonal braces connecting the bottom of each extension with points on the wings that actually support said motor, and as two points for sup ort of the whole long structure to keep it a We the ground or in lengthwise balance when supported on the water, both of said extensions being so constructed as to their lower part that they will float. They are preferably rounded on the front sides and the bottoms are also rounded upwardly at the front. Entrance to the passenger car is by meansof a door 64 in the bacl of each cabin and by a ladder 65 extending upwardly from each cabin through an openin in the bottom of the car. The door is hinged at its lower edge and Step bars 66 are secured to the cabin both inside and out underneath the door. A step 67 is also secured to the inside of the door and this willbe placed in position for use when the door is swung downwardly. When alighting on water should it be smooth the door may be opened for entrance to or departure from the car. When thus opened the door will rest on the step 66 and the step 67. will be made use of. Should the water be rough the door will remain closed, and entrance will be had through the opening over the door. A packing strip 68 is attached to the inside of the door on both sides of the opening into the cabin and on the bottom to make the joint watertight where the door rests against the pontoon.

Wheels 69 are placed in the bottom of the cabin, and these wheels may be arranged in any suitable manner to serve for traction purposes. These wheels each consist of an axle 70 having plates '71 secured near opposite ends thereof, the wire spokes being secured to these plates. Clamp plates 72 are secured to the plates 71 to clamp a waterproof fabric 73 in place, this fabric having an opening at its center, the edge of which is clamped between the plates 71 and 72 and the other edge of said fabric being secured to the rubber tire 7 4 close to the rim. Water is thus prevented from entering with.- in the wheel and the parts therein are thus protected.

' I claim 1. A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, a single partition extending across the bag and secured at its opposite edges to opposite sides of the bag above the bottom and to the inner surface thereof dividing said bag into upper and lower compartment's, said partition being of a size to cause it to be taut when the bag is inflated, a non-inflammable gas possessing lifting power confinedwithin the lower compartment, an inflammable gas confined within the upper compartment, and means secured to the underside of the bag for support of weight thereby.

'2. A flying structure comprising an in-v flatable bag, contraction webs attached to and projecting from the inside of the bag on opposite sides of the upper part thereof, and extending lengthwise thereof, connectors attached to the edges of said webs at different points lengthwise thereof and extending across the upper part of the bag, contactors attached to said connectors and extending through the bottom of the bag, and means secured to the under sideof the bag for the support of weight thereby.

1 3. A lifiying structure comprisin an elongated in ata le bag, webs attache to the inside of the bag and extending horizontally therealong on part thereof and projecting inwardly, the edges of said webs being engrailed in the form of small parabola curves, connectors extending horizontally between the projectopposite sides of the upper ing points of opposite webs, contractors seing laterally inwar y, distributors disposed laterally in the form of large parabola curves, means connecting said distributors with the edges of said webs, means -for operating said distributors to move'said webs with 'the sides of the the top of'the bag ml in the form of large parabola curves,

means connecting said distributors and the edges of sa'id webs, connectors extending between the points of said distributors on vopposite sides of the bag, contractors -sesupport of weight thereby.

cured to said connectors and extending through the bottom of the bag, and means secured to the underside of the bag for the 6. A flying structurecomprising a streamline-shaped, inflatable bag, webs" with .engrailcd edges extending along opposite sides of the bag, cords arranged in the form of small parabola cunves joined at angles to each other and secured in said engrailed edges of the webs, distributors disposed on both sides of 'thewbag in larger parabola curves, connectors joining the .points ofthe said cords with said distributors, connectors joining the operating said connectors. y

7. A flying structure comprising a streamline-shaped, inflatable bag, webs attached to the inside of the bag and extendingnninterrupte'dly along opposite sides of-the upper part thereof, cords in the 'form'of small parabola curves each with its apex close to the gas bag engrailed in the edges of said webs, distributors disposed laterally on both sides of the bag in the formof large parabola curves, each with its apex close to the gas bag, parallel, horizontally extending cords connecting said webs at its projecting points with said distributors, contractors at-' tuched tothe points of said distributors and extending through the bottom of the bag, means-to move at will said contractors, distributors and webs together with opposite sides of the gas bag to decrease the space therein separately at the front and. at the; rear to shift the gas from one of the bags to the other end thereof for lengthwise balancing of said structure, andmeans secured to the under side of'the bag for the support of weight'thereby.

8. A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, a membrane extending across the bag and dividing itinto an upper compartment and a .comparatively.,;;shallow lower compartment, a rigid frame secured to opposite sides of the bag forthe support. of

oints of said distributors on one side of t e bag with the points of those on the other side of the bag, and means for o1a curves, and means connecting the to the contractor at a distance from the bottom of thez upper compartment, an accordion tube secured to said membrane and extending into the lower compartment, a connector secured to the inside of the top of the bag and extending through said tubes and means secured to the under side Bf the bag for the support of weight therey v v 0. A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, a membrane extending horizo'ntally across the bag dividing it into upper and lower compartments, an accordion tube tightly secured at its end to the bottom of the bag and extending through said membrane to which it is tightly secured, a contractor attached to the inside of the top of the bag and extending through said tube. and means secured to the under side. of the bag for the support of weight thereby.

' 11. A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, a membrane extending across the bag through the sides thereof and secured thereto by a seam, means secured to the bottom of the bag for the support of weight thereby, and means secured to the projecting part ofsaid membrane for support of the bag;

12. A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, a membrane extending across the lower: part of the bag and through the sides thereof forming a seam extending completely tl'lerearound, a hull secured to ported by said 'hull, and means for attaching the projecting part of said mem- 1 brane to said planes for the support of the bag.

13. A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, a hull secured to the'bottom of the bag, elevating planes rigidly supported by said hull and projecting laterally therefrom at different points along its length; supporting means in the forms of webs secured to opposite sides of said bag and having their edges formed on parabarts of intersectionof saidcurves with sai elevating planes- 14; A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, a membrane extendin across the interior of the bag and secure to the sides thereof, forming a seam creating an angle in the outer surface ofthebag extending thereat and to said frame.

' 15. A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, a membrane extending across the lower portion of the bag and through the sides thereof forming a seam, extending completely therearound, the outer edges of said membrane being formed on parabola curves, a hull secured to the under side of the ba rigid elevating planes supported by sai hull at. the points of intersections of said parabola curves, and means for attaching the edges of said membrane to said rigid plane.- v

16. A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, supporting means extending from opposite sides of the bag, ahull secured to'the under side of the bag, elevating planes rigidly connected with said hull and projecting rlaterally therefrom at different points along its length, and means for yieldingly connecting the edgesof said supports to said elevating planes.

17, A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, a membrane extending across the lower portion of the bag and through the sides thereof forming a seam extend-- ing therearound, the projecting edges of said membrane beingformed in parabola curves, a hull secured to the under side of the bag, elevating planes rigidly secured to said hull and projecting laterally there from opposite thetermination of said parab ola curves, and means for yieldingly connecting the edges of said membrane to said elevating planes at the termination of said.

being watertight, steering mechanism including steeringdevices in said house, a door for entrance tosaid hull, a step projecting from said house to form a rest for said door, and means for rendering the opening closed by said door impervious to water.

119. A flying structure comprising a I streamline shaped inflatable bag, a. long rectangularly shaped hull secured to the under side of said bag and extending lengthwise thereof, the median part of said hull extending at equal distances from the transverse center of gravity of said struc-' corresponding members in sections of the hull, both of said extensions being adapted as pilot houses, and a wheel mounted on the bottom of each of said extensions.

20. A- flying structure comprising a streamline shaped inflatable bag, a long rectangularly shaped hull secured to the under side of said bag and extending lengtliwise thereof, the median part of said hull at equal distances from thetrans-verse center of gravity .of said structure being adapted as a passenger car, extensions in the form of small cabins projecting downwardly at each end of said passenger car, both of said extensions having uprights and diagonal members mutually corresponding with similar members in the overlying section of the passenger. car, means for access to said car through each of said extensions, the latter having upright door openings, doors'to close the lower parts ofsaid openings and seal "them against inflow of water, a step bar on the outside of each extension, a step bar mounted to correspond therewith on the inside of the extension below the door, and

on said door, and a wheel mounted on the bottom of each of said extensions.

' JOHN. TWAR-DUS. 

